Truedell Public School
Newsletter 3
Bingo Volunteers Needed
Did you know that Parent Council funds the purchase of many resources at Truedell through Bingo proceeds? Technology purchases, special concerts, and sports equipment are just a few of the special items we have acquired using Bingo proceeds. Parent Council is currently in great need of additional Bingo volunteers. Bingo training can be completed online. Shifts are two hours long and $20.00 is available for childcare, should you need it. If you are able to help out, please contact Jennifer King at
jennifercelineking@gmail.com Please Do Not Enter The Parking Lot Through The Exit
We have noticed some cars backing into the exit of the school's parking lot. This presents serious safety concerns. Please make sure to use the entrance side of the lot and refrain from entering the lot during bus times. Thanks for your support in keeping everyone safe.
Farewell Mme VanderMeer and Welcome to Monsieur Allison
Mme VanderMeer has been teaching students primary French for the past two years, at Truedell. Unfortunately she has taken a teaching position which is closer to her home. We wish her every success. We welcomed Mr. Allison to Truedell last month. He is our new French teacher for our primary students.
Holiday Concert
Our primary holiday concert is tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable item to donate to the Food Bank.
Students have been practicing and are excited to sing and dance for you. We look forward to sharing some holiday spirit! The Book Fair will be open both before and after the concert, for you to check out. Books make wonderful Christmas presents and help to promote students' love of reading!
New this year is a raffle for a Gift Card Wreath. We will draw the winning ticket on Thursday at noon.
Scholastic Book Fair Hours
Friday is Silly Sweater Day
Students who wear a silly sweater on Friday will receive a colour house ticket. Congratulations to the Green Colour House Team on winning Colour House Round 1!
Bullying Awareness and Prevention
Reporting Your Child's Absence on Inclement Weather Days
The Limestone District School Board uses the SafeArrival system for parents/guardians to report student absences. This can be done one of three ways: the SchoolMessenger App on your mobile device; the SchoolMessenger website portal; or the toll-free number automated phone system at 1-855-257-9349.
In past years when school buses have been cancelled due to inclement weather, parents/guardians of bused students were not required to report their absence. Only parents/guardians of walkers who chose not to come to school were to report absences.
NEW FOR 2019-2020: All parents/guardians are asked to report their student’s absence regardless of the reason including during bus cancellations. Often, bused students find alternative ways to school and we want to ensure we know the whereabouts of every student to ensure their safety and well-being. Knowing who is supposed to be at school will allow school office staff to best ensure all students are accounted for. Students are asked to ensure they report to their first period class for attendance.
SELECT:
· Bus cancellation as the reason for absence if your student is bused
· Inclement weather as the reason for the absence if your student walks but chooses not to attend
If your student is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in advance, our new SafeArrival system will attempt to reach the student’s priority contact by telephone to confirm the absence.
The new SafeArrival system makes it easier for you to report your student’s absence, reduces the time it takes for our school staff to verify student attendance, and responds to unexpected or unplanned student absences. This time savings makes it faster and more efficient to account for all students and their safety.
On inclement weather days, sometimes the daily plan is amended but learning continues as many students can, and do find alternative ways to school (Kingston Transit, family drop off, walking). In schools where there are significant walk-to populations, an inclement weather day doesn’t usually affect the curriculum plan. In others, almost all students might be (school) bused. In these cases, educators make the necessary adjustment to adjust their lesson plans for who is in attendance.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
November 18 - 22 was Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. Student Leadership created special announcements to encourage students to stand up against bullying. Teachers read books to their classes about bullying and all students signed an anti-bullying classroom pledge. On Friday November 22nd, students and staff wore pink to show that we are working together to stand up against bullying, each and every day.
A message for Parents of Students in Junior Kindergarten
